Stranded travellers 'will be covered' by travel insurance

Swiftcover is to aid its customers stuck due to the travel chaos caused by the Icelandic volcano.

Customers will be covered by their Swiftcover travel insurance policy if their plans have been affected by the volcano ash cloud over Europe, the company has confirmed today (April 21st).

British airspace reopened last night after six full days of complete closure following the effects of last week's volcanic eruption in Iceland which has left as many as 150,000 Brits stuck abroad.

There has since been fierce debate over whether various travel insurance policies - such as single trip cover and annual insurance - remain valid after their expiry date due to such extreme and unforeseen circumstances, with many companies saying they do not.

However, Swiftcover has announced its intention to help its stranded customers by taking measures such as allowing claims of £25 per person daily to cover expenses such as food and accommodation.

Tina Shortle, marketing director of Swiftcover, said: "This is a difficult time for many travellers, so the last thing they want is the added worry of whether they will be covered by their travel insurance."

By Daniel Foster